2007-02

Home-Start
Home Sweet Home
If only that could always be so - but
sadly, sometimes it isn't. Bringing up
children can be stressful at the best
of times, but some circumstances can
make life at home far from sweet.
Relationship breakdown, the death of
a loved one, illness of a parent or a
child, moving to a new location without
the proximity of family or friends,
a multiple birth, financial worries - any
of these can make it harder to cope
and "normal" family life becomes a
struggle.
The Home-Start charity was founded in 1973 in order to address this problem
and, like Topsy, it has grown and now has branches all over the UK. It
is a free, confidential and non-judgemental charity and states, "Home-Start
believes that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents
play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them
to achieve their full potential". Volunteers, people with parenting experience
of their own, receive training so that they are prepared for the vital role
which they will play when they visit families in their homes. They listen,
reassure, offer encouragement and practical help. They may be able to give
parents a short break from the children, and can put them in touch with local
services and other support agencies. Volunteers can help parents to
rediscover the joys and fun of family life, and they often build friendships
which continue long after their support ceases to be necessary.
If you would like Home-Start to help you, or if you would like to either
volunteer your services or donate to the charity, you can find the Sheffield
branch at:
86 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield S3 7RQ Tel: 0114 278 8377 e.mail:
enquiries@hssheffield.org.uk or find out more about Home-Start by logging
on to: http://www.hssheffield.org.uk
St Chads Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
email: office@stchads.org
Church Offices: 15 Camping Lane, Sheffield S8 0GB Page 22 web site: stchads.org
Tel: (0114) 274 5086